A weekly report prepared by the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA). If you require further information, regarding this report, call the Elora Resource Centre at 519-846-0941. Office hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm. For technical information, call the Agricultural Information Contact Centre at 1-877-424-1300 or visit the OMAFRA website: www.ontario.ca/omafra
ABOUT GROWING FORWARD 2
Growing Forward 2 (GF2) is a five-year federal-provincial-territorial initiative designed to encourage innovation, competitiveness and market development in Canada’s agri-food and agri-products sector through cost share funding opportunities.
In Ontario, farm, food and bio-product businesses, collaborations and organizations can build their own plan and select opportunities to help grow their profits, expand their markets and manage risks. For Ontario producers, funding applications will be facilitated through the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association (OSCIA). GF2 funding assistance is designed to help producers capitalize on opportunities. Whether just starting out, or in business for a long time, GF2 2 offers opportunities to help you reach your business goals. GF2 offers cost-share funding assistance to Ontario producers and will support innovation as well as education, training, audits, assessments, planning and implementation activities to help improve their business.
The Growing Forward 2 Process – Step by Step – Register your farm business – Register one time at ontarioprograms.net to enrol into GF2 funding program to access all GF2 opportunities.
Attend a free workshop – to help you better understand your farming operation’s needs and opportunities. This is a requirement to be eligible for funding opportunities.
Environmental Farm Plan – for more information, please see website – http://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/en/programs/environmental_farm_plan.htm,
Growing Your Farm Profits – for more information, please see website – http://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/en/programs/workshops/grow_your_farm_profits.htm,
Biosecurity – for more information, visit http://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/biosecurity_workshops.htm
The following two workshops are recommended to help strengthen your application for funding:
Traceability – http://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/en/programs/workshops/traceability_workshops.htm
Food Safety – http://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/en/programs/workshops/food_safety_workshops_and_webinars.htm. To view schedules and sign-up for upcoming workshops, please see website – http://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/en/programs/workshops/food_safety_workshops_and_webinars.htm
Learn and Apply – Read the Producer Program Guide to understand requirements – http://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/docs/gf2_costshare_producer_guide_2015-2016.pdf
Apply online through the GF2 Client Portal or print and submit your completed paper enrollment. For more information, please visit website: http://www.ontariosoilcrop.org/en/programs/growing_forward_2_new.htm
Biosecurity Workshop, Woodstock – Oct. 9
Producers are invited to attend Biosecurity Workshops, to learn more about on-farm biosecurity best management practices and key areas of their farm to evaluate when developing a biosecurity plan. Possible cost sharing opportunities will be discussed. Workshop supplies, refreshments and snacks will be available. Please bring your own lunch. Registration is mandatory, please visit website – http://registration.wildapricot.org/page-1775859
COMING EVENTS
Sept. 28 to 29 – Grocery Innovations Canada 2015. Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Toronto, Ontario. For more information, please contact Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers by email: info@cfig.ca or call toll free: 800-387-0175 x 224
Oct. 8 to 12 – Erin Fair. For more information, please check the website www.erinfair.ca or phone 519-833-2808
